“They are just delicious. I mean, talk about the perfect blend of tart and sweet and—”
“I am never going to hear the end of this, am I?”
“—honestly, I think they might be the best fruit out there. I could easily eat them with every meal and—”
Kai leans closer and sighs out an exasperated, “Paedyn.” I clamp my mouth shut at the sound of my name. “I am content to listen to you talk for hours, but if you must speak about fruit, then at least pick one we both enjoy.”
I press my lips together to smother my smile. The future Enforcer is willing to listen to me ramble about fruit. The thought has me on the verge of both bursting out in laughter and blushing from head to toe.
“Fair enough,” I say simply. “How about oranges?”
He makes a face. “I don’t like pulp.”
“Fine. Bananas?”
“I hate the texture.”
“Is there any fruit you do like?” I huff, shaking my head at him. “You are the pickiest prince I know.”
“I am one of the two princes you know, and trust me, Kitt is not much better than I am.”
I give him a pointed look. “I’m still waiting to hear a fruit you don’t find repulsive.”
He’s quiet for a moment, pondering his answer while his thumb runs idly over my own. “Strawberries.”
I blink at him. “I love strawberries.”
A slow smile tips up his lips. “And I find them not repulsive.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
“Go.”
The word tumbles from my mouth, and I take advantage of his surprise. Determination drives me as I fight to pin his thumb down, moving my hand and arm in the process. I nearly fall on top of him to finally get my thumb to land on his, though I’ve broken the rules to do it.
And then I’m suddenly being tugged fully against his body.
He yanks on my arm, pulling me close enough to count the dark lashes surrounding his eyes. “You cheated, Gray.”
“I did what I had to do to win, Azer.”
“Hmm,” he hums, and I feel it vibrate through his chest. “I suppose it’s my fault for forgetting what a vicious, little thing you are.”
“Well, I—”
The words die in my throat when he uncurls his hand from mine and trails his fingers down my arm. I suppress a shiver at his sudden touch, but the smile that lifts his lips tells me it didn’t go unnoticed.
“I take it back,” he says softly. “This game isn’t boring in the least bit when I play it with you.” His gaze has dropped to the fingers gliding over my arm, and I still under his gentle touch.
I’m not sure how long we stay like that, listening to the wind rustling the leaves above us as we study one another. And it’s only when his fingers trail up my neck to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear that I finally come to my senses.
“I should go.”
The unsure words hang between us, barely more than a whisper that the wind nearly steals away.
“That doesn’t sound like what you want to do at all,” he murmurs.
I refuse to even puzzle out what it is that I want to do, so I say instead, “One of these days, I’m going to beat you fairly in a thumb war, and then you won’t find it so fun.”
He chuckles softly, followed by an equally soft murmur. “It’s not the winning I find fun. It’s you, darling.”
After a moment too long, I pull myself out of his hold and sit up slowly. The night has grown colder, and without the heat of Kai’s body next to mine, my thin dress does little to keep me warm.
Kai sits up beside me and wraps his jacket around my shoulders. “You’re right. That coat is far too itchy for a prince to wear.” Then his lips twitch into a smirk. “So, I’ll let you wear it instead.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Paedyn
I clamp my hands over my ears, shielding them from the loud squealing.
“Okay, what do you think?!” Adena is beaming, gesturing wildly to the partially made dress draped across my bed.
“Wow,” Ellie breathes, leaning over my shoulder to get a better look at it. “It’s…” she trails off as her eyes trail over the fabric.
“Perfect,” I finish for her. “Absolutely stunning. You’ve outdone yourself, A.” I give her a smile, wide and full of wonder at how one person could be so talented.
“Well,” she huffs, snatching the half-made dress off the bed and settling it on her lap again. “It’s not finished yet. I only have two more days until the final ball, and it needs to be absolutely perfect—”
“A.” I give her a knowing look. “Don’t stress, it will be perfect.” Then I snort, shaking my head. “You could put me in a flour sack and somehow make it look good.”
Adena looks truly alarmed at that suggestion. “I would never put you in a flour sack.” She taps a finger to her lips thoughtfully. “And not only because it would be hideous, even on you, but because the fabric is much too scratchy, too stiff to—” Her big, hazel eyes dart between Ellie and I trying to suppress our smiles and failing. “What?”
Her hands are on her hips, eyebrows quirked, legs crisscrossed and covered in fabric. I’ve never seen someone try to look so stern while looking so innocently sweet at the same time.
It feels good to laugh, to do anything other than train and snoop around the castle in the hopes of finding the tunnel on my own. But it seems that Kitt is the only key, and I’m helpless without him showing me the passage. Helpless if he doesn’t trust me. I’ve spent nearly every day with him, careful not to sound desperate when I casually mention details about Loot, trying to entice him into sneaking away with me.
Nothing.
We are chatting quietly when a knock at the door has us all jumping.
Ellie throws me a look, silently asking if I was expecting anyone, to which I give her a clueless shrug. She scurries to the door and opens it hesitantly, revealing a tall, smiling figure.
Kitt.
Ellie dips into a curtsy and I’m suddenly beside her, a slightly mocking smile on my lips as I say, “Your Highness, what an unexpected surprise.”
Kitt dips his head gracefully towards me. “Why, Miss Gray, I hope I’m not intruding?” His amused gaze flicks from Ellie to my bed where Adena sits, wide-eyed and covered in fabric. “Miss Ellie, Miss Adena, would you mind if I stole Paedyn from you?”
Ellie offers him a shy smile as Adena tries to stifle a shriek before calling, “No, Your Highness, not at all!”
I duck my head, trying to suppress a smile from both embarrassment and amusement. Kitt is already looking down at me when I peek up at him, his lips quirked in a smile. “Shall we?”
Their giggling follows us all the way down the hall, and I sigh before asking, “So, where are you stealing me off to?”
“Actually,” Kitt glances around nervously, “I was hoping you could steal me away.”
I blink at him, my heart beginning to beat quickly. But I school my features, feigning confusion. “I’m not sure I follow.”
Kitt slows and leads us into a corner before leaning over me. I’m startled by this sudden turn of events, his sudden proximity, and the sudden scent of spices that washes over me.
His head dips close to mine, his voice dipping to a low hush with it. “Loot.”
And there it is.
That one word has my heart hammering.